New 16-storey waterfront apartment block recommended for go-ahead

Plans to develop 383 new apartments on Liverpool’s waterfront are being recommended for approval next week.

The proposed 16-storey mixed-use building, which has been downsized following concerns over earlier larger scale plans, would replace the existing Strand House building (pictured) if given the go-ahead.

Applicants FT Patten Properties (Liverpool) Limited and Panacea Property Development are looking to demolish the current four-storey building, which was originally built for Halifax Building Society in the 1990s and is now occupied by community and commercial tenants.

The new development would feature residents’ facilities including a gym, cinema and roof terrace alongside the new homes, as well as two ground floor commercial units and associated parking and landscaping.

A decision is expected to be made on the scheme by Liverpool City Council’s planning committee next Tuesday (13 December).

Plans for the project have previously been scaled back after the proposed height of the new building was considered inappropriate for the “sensitive location”.

According to a council report to be discussed by the committee, a part 11-storey and part 25-storey development was initially suggested by the applicants in a pre-application enquiry but received no support from local authority officers.

A part 16-storey and part 19-storey building was then proposed before being amended to current plans following further discussions.

As decision time approaches on the current plans, the council report adds: “The interim head of planning is satisfied that the proposed apartments will add to the diversity of accommodation offer within the city, while the commercial units will contribute towards a sustainable mix of uses in an accessible location, benefiting the local economy, providing enhanced employment prospects and assisting the regeneration of the area.

“He is further satisfied that the development will not harm heritage assets or the outstanding universal value of the World Heritage Site. In design terms, the interim head of planning considers that the scheme would be an appropriate form of development within the area.

“The height, scale and design of the building will relate well to the surrounding environment and will be of sufficiently high quality to ensure it contributes positively to the area without any undue impact on existing heritage assets or local environment.”